Composers Forum is a daily web log that allows invited contemporary composers to share their thoughts and ideas on any topic that interests them--from the ethereal, like how new music gets created, music history, theory, performance, other composers, alive or dead, to the mundane, like getting works played and recorded and the joys of teaching. If you're a professional composer and would like to participate, send us an e-mail.
Record companies, artists and publicists are invited to submit CDs to be considered for review. Send to: Jerry Bowles, Editor, Sequenza 21, 340 W. 57th Street, 12B, New York, NY 10019
Making a list of influences makes sense to me, but I don't see the point of each person making a list of the all-time top ten composers of the 20th century?
Some composers have been remarkable new music citizens.
Some composers have been fantastic mentors and have inspired “disciples” to carry on a certain approach/philosophy.
Some composers have made an undeniable impact on how people think about music and approach composition and performance.
Some composers have written compelling music outside the establishment.
Some composers have written compelling music within the establishment.
While these are not necessarily mutually exclusive qualities, there are many people who rank high in one and not the other. A top ten list doesn't do them justice, and I don't understand what purpose it serves except to incite an endless and tautological debate about whose list is most accurate?
And what about the very 20th-century phenomenon called jazz?
